Juxtafacet cysts of the lumbar spine: a positional MRI study

Lumbar parafacetal cyst-spinal segmental instability is the cause and stabilization is the treatment: A clinical report of eight surgically-treated patients

Objective

The authors report the results of "only-fixation" of the affected spinal segment without any decompression of the bones or soft tissue or manipulation of the cyst wall or contents in eight cases having lumbar parafacetal cyst (LPFC). This surgical strategy was based on the concept that LPFCs are secondary to spinal instability, has a protective or adaptive role, and is reversible following stabilization.

Materials and Methods

During the period from January 2018 to January 2023, eight consecutive patients having LPFC were surgically treated. There were 5 males and 3 females, and their ages ranged from 48 to 72 years (average 63 years). Seven patients had a single cyst and one patient had multiple cysts. The patients presented with symptoms classically attributed to lumbar canal stenosis. Apart from the cyst-affected spinal segment, degenerative alterations were observed in adjoining spinal segments in six out of seven patients having a single cyst. All patients underwent "only fixation" of the unstable spinal segments without any kind of bone or soft-tissue resection and without any manipulation or handling of the cyst wall or contents.

Results

During the follow-up period that ranged from 12 to 57 months (average 29 months), all patients improved from their symptoms. The recovery was observed in the immediate postoperative period and was lasting.

Conclusions

LPFCs are one of the several secondary alterations observed in spinal degeneration. Identification of unstable spinal segments and their fixation constitutes rational treatment of lumbar parafacetal cysts. Direct handling and resection of cysts are unnecessary.

[Long-term postoperative outcomes in patients with lumbosacral spine synovial cysts]

Searching of literature data revealed only a few reports devoted to long-term postoperative outcomes in patients with lumbosacral spine synovial cysts. These results are ambiguous and largely contradictory.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the long-term postoperative outcomes in patients with lumbosacral spine synovial cysts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective observational cohort study was performed between January 2015 ando September 2022. The study included patients who underwent surgical treatment for lumbosacral spine synovial cysts with clinical and neurological manifestations. There were 94 medical records of respondents (36 (38.3%) men and 58 (61.7%) women aged 18-82 years). Mean postoperative follow-up period was 24.6±7.5 months.

RESULTS

Patients underwent various surgical interventions for synovial cysts. VAS scores of pain syndrome after 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 postoperative months revealed significant pain relief in the lower back and extremities (p<0.01). In long-term follow-up period, we observed significantly lower disability (Oswestry Disability Index) (p<0.001). Adverse postoperative events occurred in 9 (9.6%) cases.

CONCLUSION

Interlaminectomy with cyst wall resection and preservation or partial resection (no more than 1/3) of facet joint without segmental fusion is an effective and preferable surgical method with minimal incidence of adverse clinical events.

Simple Microsurgical Extirpation as a Method of Choice in Treating Symptomatic Spinal Facet Joint Cysts: A Retrospective Case Series

BACKGROUND

Facet joint cysts (FJCs) are a cause of radiculopathy, back pain, cauda equina syndrome, and/or claudication. They mostly affect the lumbar spine in the elderly, prevailing in women, and are connected to spinal degeneration and instability. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of open surgical decompression and cyst excision without a subsequent fusion.

METHODS

We evaluated neurologic symptoms and potential signs of spinal instability on preoperative versus postoperative radiological examination. We performed a histological assessment of the extirpated cysts. Statistical analysis was then performed.

RESULTS

Of a total of 66 patients, 44 were included in the present study. The average age was 61.2 years. Female patients prevailed (61.4%). The mean follow-up was 5.3 years. The segment most frequently affected by a FJC was L4-L5 (65.9%). Cyst resection led to significant relief from neurologic symptoms for most patients. Thus, 95.5% of our patients reported their postoperative outcome as excellent. Preoperatively, 43.2% and 47.4% of patients had had radiographic signs of instability on magnetic resonance imaging and signs of spondylolisthesis on dynamic radiographs in the operated segment, respectively, with 54.5% manifesting signs of spondylolisthesis in the same segment on a postoperative dynamic radiograph. Despite spondylolisthesis progression, no patient required reoperation. Histologically, pseudocysts without synovium were more frequent than were synovial cysts.

CONCLUSIONS

Simple FJC extirpation is a safe and effective method for resolving radicular symptoms, with excellent long-term outcomes. It does not lead to the development of clinically significant spondylolisthesis in the operated segment; thus, no supplementary fusion with instrumented stabilization is required.

Weight-Bearing Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Diagnostic Tool That Generates Biomechanical Changes in Spine Anatomy

Weight-bearing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a unique modality in diagnostic imaging that allows for the assessment of spinal pathology in ways considered previously inaccessible or insufficient with the conventional MRI technique. Due to limitations in positioning within the MRI machine itself, difficulties would be posed in determining the underlying cause of a patient’s pain or neurological symptoms, as the traditional supine position utilized can, in many cases, alleviate the severity of presented symptoms. Weight-bearing MRI addresses this concern by allowing a clinician to position a patient (to a certain degree) into flexion, extension, rotation, or side-bending with an axial load that can mimic physiologic conditions in order to replicate the conditions the patient experiences in order to give clinicians a clearer understanding of the anatomical relationship of the spine and surrounding tissues that may lead to a particular presentation of symptoms. These findings can then guide treatment approaches that are better tailored to a patient’s needs in order to initiate treatment earlier and shorten the duration of treatment necessary for patient benefit. The goal of this review is to describe and differentiate weight-bearing MRI from conventional MRI as well as examine the advantages and disadvantages of either imaging modality. This will include assessing cost-effectiveness and improvements in clinical outcomes. Further, the advancements of weight-bearing MRI will be discussed, including potentially unique clinical applications in development.

Please be upstanding - A narrative review of evidence comparing upright to supine lumbar spine MRI

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the review was to examine the evidence comparing upright to supine MRI of the lumbar spine.

KEY FINDINGS

A literature search identified 14 articles comparing data where subjects had been scanned in both supine and upright positions on the same scanner. Lumbar spine anatomy is dynamic and therefore subject to morphological changes when transitioning from the supine to the upright position. There is strong evidence to suggest structural changes in spinal morphology due to radiographic positioning, and that upright positioning is better for evaluating spondylolisthesis.

CONCLUSION

It has been demonstrated that the scanning position is important in the outcome of the MRI examination of the lumbar spine. With this in mind, it would be beneficial for guidance to be written and adopted to improve the consistency and quality of scanning.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

As upright MRI occupies a niche in the scanning sector, many professionals are unaware of its capabilities. This article aims to increase awareness of the use of upright MRI in evaluating the lumbar spine.

Clinical outcomes with endoscopic resection of lumbar extradural cysts

BACKGROUND

Lumbar extradural cysts may be associated with sciatica-type back and leg pain. The symptoms of clinical pain syndrome from synovial cysts are sometimes difficult to differentiate from those of lumbar disc herniation or spinal canal stenosis and may be identified to be a pain source when visualized endoscopically. The authors analyzed the clinical outcomes with their endoscopic resection to better establish clinical indications and prognosticators of favorable results.

METHODS

Two-year Macnab outcomes, VAS scores, and complications were analyzed in a series of 48 patients treated with the endoscopic removal of extradural cyst encountered during routine transforaminal and interlaminar decompression for foraminal and lateral recess stenosis causing lumbar radiculopathy.

RESULTS

There were 26 female and 22 male patients. The extradural cysts were most commonly encountered at L4/5 level in 26 patients (72.2%) followed by the L5/S1 level in 8 patients (22.2%), and in 2 patients (5.6%) at the L3/4 level, respectively. One patient underwent T9/10 decompression. At minimum 2-year follow-up, all patients were improved. Excellent results according to the Macnab criteria were obtained in 19/48 (39.6%) patients, good in 18/48 (37.5%), and fair in 11/48 (22.9%), respectively. The average preoperative VAS score for leg pain was 8.06±1.57 and reduced at a statistically significant level (P<0.000) postoperatively to 1.92±1.49, and 1.77±1.32 at final follow-up, respectively. The percentage of patients with unlimited walking endurance had improved at a statistically significant level (P<0.0001) from 33.3% preoperatively (16/48) to 81.3% (39/48) postoperatively. One patient had a recurrent disc herniation, and another patient did not improve. Two patients underwent fusion during the follow-up period. Patients with Fair outcomes had a statistically significant association (P<0.001) with facet instability as suggested by axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of thickened ligamentum flavum, facet joint hypertrophy, and bright white fluid-filled joint gap of >2 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic resection of extradural spinal cysts during routine decompression for symptomatic foraminal and lateral recess stenosis is feasible with favorable clinical outcomes in the majority of patients. Fair outcomes were associated with advanced instability of the involved lumbar facet joint complex.

Disc and nerve root findings on lumbar MRI with straightened v s flexed hips and knees-pilot study

OBJECTIVE:

To compare disc and nerve root findings, image quality, and pain between supine lumbar MRI positions with straightened v s flexed hips and knees.

METHODS:

In this prospective pilot study, 14 adults with sciatica or suspected lumbar radiculopathy underwent MRI supine with their hips and knees flexed and then straightened. For each position, two experienced radiologists assessed disc contour, location/size of disc herniation, nerve root affection, image quality, image evaluation difficulty, and sagittal angles between the vertebral bodies at each disc level L3-S1. Patients scored pain (0-10) after MRI in each position. We compared MRI assessments and mean pain scores (t-test, log-transformation) between the two positions.

RESULTS:

We found no clear difference in disc bulges, disc herniation, nerve root affection, image quality, or image evaluation difficulty between MRI with straightened v s flexed knees/hips. Herniation size differed ≤ 0.6 mm between the two positions. Sagittal angles between neighboring vertebral bodies differed ≤3.8°. Mean pain score after MRI with straightened v s flexed knees/hips was 4.64 v s 3.29 (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION:

In this pilot study, supine lumbar MRI with straightened vs flexed hips/knees showed similar disc and nerve root findings. The straightened position appeared more painful.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:

In previous studies, spondylolisthesis increased on supine MRI with straightened v s flexed lower limbs, but corresponding data on disc findings were lacking. In this pilot study, supine lumbar MRI with straightened rather than flexed hips and knees was more painful and did not improve the diagnosis of disc or nerve root findings.

Reliability of standing weight-bearing (0.25T) MR imaging findings and positional changes in the lumbar spine

OBJECTIVE

To test the reliability and absolute agreement of common degenerative findings in standing positional magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Low back pain patients with and without sciatica were consecutively enrolled to undergo a supine and standing pMRI. Three readers independently evaluated the standing pMRI for herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, HIZ lesions and facet joint effusion. The evaluation included a semi-quantitative grading of spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis and spinal nerve root compression. The standing pMRI images were evaluated with full access to supine MRI. In case lower grades or the degenerative findings were not present in the supine images, this was reported separately as position-dependent changes. A subsample of 20 pMRI examinations was reevaluated after two months. The reproducibility was assessed by inter- and intra-reader reliability (kappa statistic) and absolute agreement between readers.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients were included in this study. There was fair-to-substantial inter-reader reliability (κ 0.47 to 0.82) and high absolute agreement (72.3% to 99.1%) for the pMRI findings. The intra-reader assessment showed similar reliability and agreement (κ 0.36 to 0.85; absolute agreement: 62.5% to 98.8%). Positional changes between the supine and standing position showed a fair-to-moderate inter- and intra-reader reliability (κ 0.25 to 0.52; absolute agreement: 97.0% to 99.1).

CONCLUSION

Evaluation of the lumbar spine for degenerative findings by standing pMRI has acceptable reproducibility; however, positional changes from the supine to the standing position as an independent outcome should be interpreted with caution because of lower reliability, which calls for further standardisation.

Synovial cysts of the spine: long-term follow-up after surgical treatment of 141 cases in a single-center series and comprehensive literature review of 2900 degenerative spinal cysts

OBJECTIVE Synovial cysts of the spine are rare lesions, predominantly arising in the lumbar region. Despite their generally benign behavior, they can cause severe symptoms due to compression of neural structures in the spinal canal. Treatment strategies are still a matter of discussion. The authors performed a single-center survey and literature search focusing on long-term results after minimally invasive surgery. METHODS A total of 141 consecutive patients treated for synovial cysts of the lumbar spine between 1997 and 2014 in the authors' department were analyzed. Medical reports with regard to signs and symptoms, operative findings, complications, and short-term outcome were reviewed. Assessment of long-term outcome was performed with a standardized telephone questionnaire based on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Furthermore, patients were questioned about persisting pain, symptoms, and further operative procedures, if any. Subjective satisfaction was classified as excellent, good, fair, or poor based on the Macnab classification. RESULTS The approach most often used for synovial cyst treatment was partial hemilaminectomy in 70%; hemilaminectomy was necessary in 27%. At short-term follow-up, the presence of severe and moderate leg pain had decreased from 93% to 5%. The presence of low-back pain decreased from 90% to 5%. Rates of motor and sensory deficits were reduced from 40% to 14% and from 45% to 6%, respectively. The follow-up rate was 58%, and the mean follow-up period was 9.3 years. Both leg pain and low-back pain were still absent in 78%. Outcome based on the Macnab classification was excellent in 80%, good in 14%, fair in 1%, and poor in 5%. According to the ODI, 78% of patients had no or only minimal disability, 16% had moderate disability, and 6% had severe disability at the time of follow-up. In this cohort, 7% needed surgery due to cyst recurrence, and 9% required a delayed stabilization procedure after the initial operation. CONCLUSIONS Surgical treatment with resection of the cyst provides favorable results in outcome. Excellent or good outcome persisting for a long-term follow-up period can be achieved in the vast majority of cases. Complication rates are low despite an increased risk of dural injury. With facet-sparing techniques, the stability of the segment can be preserved, and resection of spinal synovial cysts does not necessarily require segmental fusion.

Evaluation and Treatment of Lumbar Facet Cysts

Lumbar facet cysts are a rare but increasingly common cause of symptomatic nerve root compression and can lead to radiculopathy, neurogenic claudication, and cauda equina syndrome. The cysts arise from the zygapophyseal joints of the lumbar spine and commonly demonstrate synovial herniation with mucinous degeneration of the facet joint capsule. Lumbar facet cysts are most common at the L4-L5 level and often are associated with spondylosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis. Advanced imaging studies have increased diagnosis of the cysts; however, optimal treatment of the cysts remains controversial. First-line treatment is nonsurgical management consisting of oral NSAIDs, physical therapy, bracing, epidural steroid injections, and/or cyst aspiration. Given the high rate of recurrence and the relatively low satisfaction with nonsurgical management, surgical options, including hemilaminectomy or laminotomy to excise the cyst and decompress the neural elements, are typically performed. Recent studies suggest that segmental fusion of the involved levels may decrease the risks of cyst recurrence and radiculopathy.

Histopathological findings of hemorrhagic ganglion cyst causing acute radicular pain: a case report

Although juxtafacet cysts of the lumbar spine are being reported with increasing frequency, hemorrhage from a ganglion cyst is rare, and the pathophysiologic mechanism of the hemorrhage from the cyst is still unclear. A 75-year-old male presented with sudden radicular leg pain caused by hemorrhage from the ganglion cyst. Computed tomography revealed bony erosion of vertebral body and multiple punched-out lesions on facets. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the neural structure was compressed by a sharply delineating mass. Capsule and old hematoma with elastic consistency that extended to the epidural space were removed through a paramedian transforaminal approach, which led to the resolution of the patient's symptoms. Histopathologically, chronic inflammation with neovascularization and myxoid degeneration were present in the capsule. Alcian blue staining demonstrated the mixture of mucin and hematoma. The probable pathogenesis of hemorrhage from the cyst was discussed from the unique histopathological findings of surgical specimen.

Increased size of a gas-filled intradural cyst causing acute foot drop: a case report

We describe the case of a 76-year-old man presenting with a gas-filled intradural cyst that increased in size over a 10-month period and caused acute bilateral foot drop. The gas-filled intradural cyst was resected from the adherent cauda equina, and histopathological examination identified cystic tissue with degenerated fibrocartilage. Leg pain disappeared immediately following surgery, and the bilateral foot drop resolved within 8 months.

External pneumatic compression device prevents fainting in standing weight-bearing MRI: a cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if a peristaltic external pneumatic compression device attached to the legs, while scanning, can reduce a substantial risk of fainting in standing weight-bearing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study comprised all patients with low back pain referred to standing MRI of the lumbar spine, using a 0.25-T open G-Scanner, from June 2011 to April 2012. The standing MRI protocol included a sagittal TSE T2w and an axial GRE T2w sequence giving a total scan time of 17 min. The first patients were scanned standing without a device (control group), and then from January to April 2012 the patients were scanned in the standing position using an external pneumatic compression device, attached to the legs (experimental group).

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-nine patients (mean age 42.5, standard deviation 12.5, and range 20-77 years) were included and scanned standing. No significant difference in age (p = 0.51) or gender (p = 0.47) was observed between the control group (n = 86) and the experimental group (n = 63). Sixteen patients (19 %) fainted in the control group during the standing MRI scan, compared to one patient (2 %) in the experimental group where the pneumatic compression device was applied. The difference between groups was highly significant (p = 0.001; Fisher's exact test), with an OR = 0.071 (exact 95 % CI: 0.002 to 0.486) for the pneumatic compression device.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial risk of fainting during standing MRI was almost eliminated by using an external peristaltic pneumatic compression device.